Budapest Passenger Boat Season to Open with Free Cruise

This year again, Budapest's passenger boats will hold their traditional season-opening sailing: this Sunday, about 28 boats will leave the capital's ports at the same time to march in spectacular formation along the Budapest section of the Danube, the Hungarian Federation of Passenger Fleet Operators (SZHSZ) told MTI.

The aim of the event is to draw attention to the problems affecting passenger shipping in Budapest, in particular the amendments to the Danube Construction Code (DÉSZ) adopted last year, which the association said would make all shipping businesses in Budapest impossible.

The regulation, which came into force in January, has significantly reduced the number of ports in some parts of the capital's Danube section, but has designated sites that are not actually suitable for port construction and operation to replace them, they wrote, noting that the implementation of the DÉSZ would cause unjustified noise and air pollution and raise serious traffic safety concerns.

According to the association, the current situation creates complete uncertainty for this year's tourist season, and the capital should ensure valid port permits for the transitional period so that businesses can continue to operate properly until the new system is in place. They also offered their partnership in the review of the regulation.

They noted that more than 4,000 people took part in last year's launch, an indication of the huge demand for passenger shipping on the Danube.

Thousands of passengers can take part in Sunday's cruise free of charge, but to take part, they need to buy a free ticket in advance online, they said. The event will be attended by members of the public, as well as residents of children's homes and representatives of NGOs.